Reasonable adjustments

We want our services to be accessible to everyone.

If you have a disability, impairment or long-term condition that makes it harder for you to access healthcare, please tell us what support would help.

Reasonable adjustments may include:

• a quieter place to wait;
• contact by text or email;
• information in large print or Easy Read;
• support from an interpreter, carer or advocate;
• another adjustment based on your needs.

Learn more about the reasonable adjustment digital flag

Tell us what support you need

Complete our online reasonable adjustment form

We may contact you to discuss your request and agree what should be recorded.

Agreed reasonable adjustments will be added to your GP record and National Health Record.

You can ask us to review or update this information at any time.

Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag Policy

Purpose

This policy sets out Trumpington Street Medical Practice's commitment to recognising and meeting reasonable adjustment needs. It supports fair and accessible care and compliance with the Equality Act 2010 and the Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag Standard. 

Scope

This policy applies across all services provided by the practice and to all staff and contractors working on behalf of the practice. It covers reasonable adjustments required because a disability, impairment or sensory loss creates a barrier to accessing, communicating with or receiving care. 

Policy commitment

Trumpington Street Medical Practice will: 

• identify reasonable adjustment and accessible information needs when they become known to the practice; 
• record relevant needs and agreed adjustments clearly, accurately and respectfully; 
• flag reasonable adjustment information so that it is visible and available when care is provided; 
• share relevant reasonable adjustment information appropriately through local and national health and care systems, in line with information governance requirements; 
• meet agreed reasonable adjustments wherever they are reasonable, safe and appropriate; 
• review reasonable adjustment information so that it remains accurate, relevant and up to date; and 
• update or remove information when needs change or an adjustment is no longer required. 

Principles

Reasonable adjustments will be considered according to the individual patient's needs and the barrier they experience. The practice will aim to reduce or remove avoidable disadvantages while maintaining safe and effective care. 

Reasonable adjustment information will be limited to what is relevant for access and care, recorded in clear and respectful language, and handled in accordance with confidentiality, data protection and information governance requirements. 

Where a requested adjustment cannot reasonably or safely be provided, the practice will consider whether another effective adjustment can meet the identified need. 

Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag

The practice will use the Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag and associated clinical record functionality in line with national requirements. The purpose of the flag is to make agreed reasonable adjustment information available to health and care services so that individual needs can be understood and met without unnecessary repetition by the patient. 

The practice will respect and record objections to national sharing in line with current NHS requirements.

Governance and assurance

The Practice Manager is accountable for overall practice compliance with this policy. Clinical oversight is provided through the practice's Reasonable Adjustments Clinical Lead. The practice will maintain appropriate governance, staff awareness, training and assurance arrangements to support implementation of the national standards. 

Compliance will be monitored through proportionate review and audit, including the quality and accuracy of reasonable adjustment information held by the practice. 

Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, or earlier where national standards, guidance, system functionality or practice arrangements change.